Racing: Pointer for Derby prospects

There is an immediate advantage in John Bary changing his mind about running The Hombre in tomorrow's A$150,000 Grand Prix at Doomben.

The emerging Hastings trainer will know exactly where The Hombre sits talent-wise going into the A$500,000 Queensland Derby in two weeks.

The Hombre stylishly won the A$125,000 Rough Habit Plate on protest in his Australian debut and Bary had been adamant before and after that victory that he would not run the talented 3-year-old again before the Derby.

Wise heads were telling Bary that a month between runs going into a Derby was suicide in an environment like balmy Queensland, where horses thrive in the conditions and now he has seen that for himself.

That he's changed his mind from a previous strong standpoint is indicative of how Bary is prepared to learn the finer points of racing, after recently switching from polo, and why everyone is predicting a bright future for him in his new trade.

"Physically I always knew he'd cope with a month between runs because he's a very naturally fit horse, but being in Queensland has changed him mentally as much as anything.

"It's really brought him on - he's like a made horse now - and that alone is enough to convince me that he should run this Saturday."

The other advantage is that The Hombre will face a field that more resembles the Derby opposition this time.

Eutopia, Summer Dash and Time Keeper, who beat The Hombre in his last start before leaving for Australia, are fresh runners and so is Melbourne 3-year-old Kutchinsky, who could not have been more stylish winning at Flemington a couple of weeks ago.

"The second part of the equation is that if we struck an unsuitable wet track for the Derby and he either missed the race or was beaten because of the rain, then we'd be dirty that we'd missed a group three like the Grand Prix on the way through."

Central Districts jockey Jonathan Riddell will again ride The Hombre.

Riddell knew he'd made the right decision to stay away from jumps riding this side of the Queensland Derby when he saw the thrills and spills that eventuated from two jumping races at Te Rapa on Saturday.

If he hadn't he'd probably have been riding No Rush'n, who botched the second fence in the Braxton Waikato Steeplechase and threw rider Tommy Hazlett heavily.

"I told Jonathan not to even think of riding over fences before the Derby," said Paul Nelson, trainer of No Rush'n.

Despite his Rough Habit victory, The Hombre is a lucrative $6 equal favourite tomorrow with Tee Emar, Sir Time Keeper and Summer Dash.

Bookmakers, with some justification, are still sorting out the Premier's Cup as a transtasman battle. They are confused trying to analyse the New Zealand form of Sir Slick, Gallions Reach, Indikator, Tinseltown, Court Ruler, Sandhawk, Solid Billing and She Kin Fly.

They have Australian stayer Larry's Never Late as favourite and the price on each Kiwi depends on which agency you talk to.